Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi guys I'm excited to be finally getting my cast off in a week.
I've had a trimalleolar fracture and orif surgery.
I've been non weight bearing for 8 weeks. Could some of you give me some of your experiences of what happens (I'm keeping the hardware in) when you begin to weight bear please
0 likes, 11 replies
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MurphyNZ Chazma89
Posted
The day I got my cast off I was put straight into a moonboot. I was also able to start partial weight bearing from then. The orthopedic surgeon said to me that I needed to do it at a pace that was right for me. And the physio said to me to use pain as my indicator of what was too much. So if it was ever sore I stopped or reduced what I was doing.
I started walking again from the minute the cast was off and I was into my moonboot. I was partial weightbearing pretty well pretty quickly but I had no issues at all during my recovery. I was able to take tentative slow steps without any crutches after a week so it was all pretty easy for me. But for most of the first month to six weeks out of my cast I was in a moonboot. I was able to use that without crutches by the end of the first week but always kept one crutch nearby just in case. When I was at home resting I tried to keep the moonboot off as much as possible so that my foot was free to do physio exercises.
The moonboot was fantastic though. It made me feel safe and secure, helped keep swelling down and reduced aching and pain too. If I had tried to walk without it I would have been pretty exhausted I reckon.
Wishing you the very best of luck for your recovery. I was so excited when I got my cast off. Best feeling in the world! If I can help any further just let me know.
Chazma89 MurphyNZ
Posted
Thank you Murphy that is all pretty reassuring for me which is what I was hoping for. Believe me the first 5 weeks 2 of which I spent in hospital were horrendous.
These last 2 weeks haven't been so bad because I've been managing to get about on my crutches a bit better, and I have amazing friends who take me out in the car so I don't get cabin fever.
I've sort of made a commitment to work I'll be back to work 2-3 weeks after I get my cast off (they have been so so understanding I can't thank them enough) and have allowed me to train someone whilst sitting for 12 weeks. So I am looking forward to a bit normality in my life again.
How far are you into the recovery process now and how is it going for you? Thanks for the response.
MurphyNZ Chazma89
Posted
Hello again. It's great to hear that your work has been so supportive. Mine was exactly the same. I had a week and a couple of days off sick when it first happened, then had school holidays for two weeks. By the end of those I was back to working about 5 hours per day but was lucky enough to do that from home.
I broke my ankle in the middle of September last year so have just hit 8 months. I had my cast off, after my 7 weeks NWB on a Wednesday and on the following Tuesday went away for work for three days, travelling by plane. It was so nice to get away and back to normal. I cried about 7 times that afternoon and evening. I found it all exhausting and full on but thankfully work with so many wonderful people that nobody cared. They all knew that I was fine just very emotional after everything that had happened.
I stayed with my parents while I was recuperating because I live alone so after having my cast off I stayed with them again for about another two weeks and then went back home. Once home and by myself again I found it pretty tiring and my ankle swelled quite a bit for the rest of the year and it wasn't until the Christmas holidays that I was able to properly feel better and well rested.
My ankle still swells and doesn't fit shoes like it used to but I like wearing sneakers so that it feels well supported. Plus the tightness keeps the swellling under control.
Like healinggolfer I just decided that once I was able to walk, I was going to walk. As soon as I was home that first day I started doing it. It does feel pretty odd for a bit but you will soon get used to it. I kept medicated for those first six weeks becaue I was pretty achy for a while. But it was so cool being able to walk again!
Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Chazma89 MurphyNZ
Posted
I think that's going to be my attitude in fact I know that's my attitude I'm sick of feeling sorry for myself I'm determined to do it.
I've been out today for a pretty long hop on my crutches and I'm sore. My shoulders my neck my good leg my bad leg. So if I can get through this after being so defeatest I can get through learning to walk.
Positivity is key! What sensations do you feel when you first put your foot down?
MurphyNZ Chazma89
Posted
It feels really odd when you first put it on the ground again. The bottom of my foot felt weird since it hadn't had anything touching it - except the cast - or any pressure for such a long time. But when I wasn't starting to walk but was just sitting down I used to try and put it on the floor for a bit and just sit normally. It's trying to weigh up keeping it elevated to reduce swelling and then keeping it down for a bit to get it used to being on the floor and what that feels like.
I think though that you just get used to new experiences and feelings. It just becomes your new normal. But I think you will get used to it pretty quickly. I was walking unaided within a week. Not fast at all but still able to walk with both hands free to carry stuff. Loved that!
Chazma89 MurphyNZ
Posted
Hey Murphy.
I got my cast off today and went straight to weight bearing in the moon boot I've had no pain what so ever 😁
But i do have quite a bit swelling but I'm so happy I'm not even bothered by the swelling.
Do you happen to have any of the exercises for your ankle mobility to hand as I don't start physio for 4 weeks
MurphyNZ Chazma89
Posted
Hello. That is so cool. You must be loving having it off. I remember how excited I was. I remember that the swelling was pretty full on to start with. It still is now from time to time.
Regarding exercises I had to do anything that allowed me to get range of motion back in my foot. One of them was to write the alphabet with my toes. So if you stretch your foot out in front of you and move the front of our foot and toes around in each letter of the alphabet. I had to do a couple of exercises where I was sitting on a chair and I had my foot on the ground. In the first one I had to pull my toes up so that my toes came up to the roof and hold it. Then the second one was to lift my heel and go up on to my tip toes.
I'll have a think and see if I can remember any others that I had to do in the beginning. Good luck and enjoy!
healinggolfer Chazma89
Posted
Chazma89 healinggolfer
Posted
Hi Healinggolfer
Than you for the positivity again it's great to hear.
How often was your PT ? Just so I know what to expect with regards to stairs.
I'm so happy you can now get round the golf course must be nice for you
asyadubova Chazma89
Posted
I had the same and was nwb for 6.5 weeks, and the day i got my cast removed I was put into an air cast. Felt really strange to be walking after 6 weeks of not even putting my foot on the ground and i definitely got a little over excited and was walking without the use of crutches that first day for a couple hours (the doctor said use crutches as i saw fit, and i found them more of a nuissance than a benefit so i took them off). Definitely had pain the next morning and through the next day it was definitely difficult to walk but I also am a student so i was walking for hours on campus only the second day. After about a week the pain subsided significantly and I had no problems!
About 2.5 weeks later I started walking without my air cast in regular shoes, and again it felt strange at first but within a couple days I felt great, and haven't put the aircast on since except once.
Overall, i would say the biggest thing was that i was so tired when walking with the aircast, but it was so worth it to be able to walk normally faster.
Chazma89 asyadubova
Posted
Thank you for this I've just got my cast off today and I've walked a few steps it feels amazing.
Could you give me some pointers as to how you managed the stairs? X